Residents’ anger over
new school plan
by Lesley Wilkinson
ANGRY residents are up in arms over suggestions that a new school could be built on land off Mill Lane, Stockton Heath near Warrington.
The idea has been floated following the refusal by borough council planners to allow planning consent for the demolition and re-building of Stockton Heath Primary School.
Residents attended the parish council?s annual meeting to oppose the proposals.
Derek Quilliam, of Mill Lane, said: “Many years ago we objected to proposals to build on that land. This is a dedicated community field and is not suitable for building.”
“It is well used by people from the area.?
Coun Peter Walker said the site was just one of a number of options that were being considered. No suitable alternative site had been found.
“Most of the pupils are from the other side of the village. It is also possibly too close to St Thomas’ Primary School – another school there would cause confusion and put too much pressure on the roads,” he said.
Members heard that the land was designated as public open land and was owned by the parish council.
Ceremony will mark
police college closure
by David Skentelbery
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BRUCHE Police Training Centre, Warrington is to close at the end of the month.
There will be a formal passing-out parade for the last intake of probationer officers to be trained at the centre, displays by police dogs and mounted police, entertainment by police bands and other attractions.
In addition, there will be exhibitions of police vehicles and uniforms past and present.
Past and present officers and staff will be attending the event on Friday May 26, along with numerous VIPs and local dignitaries, including chief constables.
Bruche and two other police training centres are closing as a direct result of a switch from the current Probationer Training Programme (PTP) which was delivered regionally, to the new Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP), designed for local delivery of probationer training in force.
The Bruche centre opened in 1946 when the police moved in to take over accommodation originally provided for US air technicians based at Burtonwood.
Over the years, staff and students at Bruche have hosted a number of dignitaries at passing out parades, including numerous Home Secretaries including Leon Britton, Gerald Caufman and James Chuter-Ede.
The centre also received one infamous visitor ? Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, who was being driven to the Risley Remand Centre but ended up at Bruche! The driver was quickly redirected.
Bruche has also been home to a number of famous names. Wade Dooley and Nigel Heslop, both former England Rugby Union players and John Savident, who plays Fred Elliot in Coronation Street, all did their police training there.
More recently, Bruche was at the centre of a controversy when the BBC television programme ?The Secret Policeman? uncovered evidence of racism among trainee officers. This resulted in a number of trainee officers resigning or being sacked from the service.
On a happier note, Bruche once sponsored a guide dog, appropriately named ?Bruche?, and has contributed more than ?240,000 to charity.
It is thought likely the sprawling site of the training centre will be re-developed for housing.
Guys and Dolls come to town
CLASSIC American musical theatre comes to town next week as the award winning, Warrington-based Centenary Theatre Company take to the stage with their production of “Guys and Dolls”
The show is also currently being staged on London’s West End – but local audiences don’t need to travel that far to catch the performance which will be at Runcorn?s Brindley Theatre.
Legends Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando starred in a film version in 1955
A spokesman for the company said: “Fifty one years later the story which is packed with many memorable tunes such as “Luck Be A Lady” and “Sit Down Your Rockin’ The Boat” is still a hit and Centenary is all set to continue their recent success by giving audiences another night to remember.”
Tickets for the show which runs from May 16-20 are available by calling The Brindley Theatre directly on 0151 907 8360.
Family escape
blaze home
by David Skentelbery
A MAN and a three=year-old girl were rescued from a smoke-filled house at Warrington after fire broke out in a bedroom.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus found the girl hiding under a bed and carried her to safety.
The man, aged about 43, was led out of the house.
Three other people, including a five-year-old boy had escaped from the house in West Street, Orford, before fire crews reached the scene.
A Fire Service spokesman said the fire had been caused by the five-year-old playing with a cigarette lighter. A smoke alarm was fitted in the property but was not working.
He added: “The safety message is always make sure smoke alarms are working – and never let children play with matches or lighters.”
There was severe damage in the bedroom where the blaze started and smoke damage throughout the house. But no-one was hurt.
Police urged residents
to “shop” local crooks
by staff reporter
POLICE are urging members of the public at Padgate, Warrington to attend a community action meeting ? and be ready to ?shop? local crooks.
Information supplied by the public following the last meeting in February resulted in three youths who had committed more than 90 offences between them being taken to court.
The offences included car crime, theft and criminal damage.
PC Sam Griffiths, of the Warrington East Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU), said: “Without the public’s help we would not have had all the evidence we needed to prosecute these individuals. I’d like to thank those people who have come forward with information and provided statements to police.”
The meeting will take place at the Fearnhead Cross Community Centre at 6.30pm on Monday (May 15). All local residents are invited.
PC Griffiths added: “It’s vital that residents come along to their CAM and have their say. Don’t leave it up to someone else to vote for the top priority. If there’s an issue you want us to look into, let us know.”
Celia is new
council chairman
by Lesley Wilkinson
COUN Celia Jordan is the new chairman of Stockton Heath Parish Council.
The long-serving councillor ? also a member of Warrington Borough Council ? took over from Coun Maurice Leslie at the parish council?s annual meeting.
She praised her predecessor for his work during a “busy and difficult year.”
?It has not been an easy year with the changes in membership and the controversy surrounding Stockton Heath Primary School,” she said.
“He has had to cope with busy and difficult meetings. He has been a good chair and done a fine job.?
Coun Jordan said she was looking forward to the coming year.
Coun Graham Roughsedge was elected as deputy chairman.
MP urges residents to
think about fostering
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is urging her constituents to think about fostering during Foster Care Fortnight.
There is a shortage of 1,700 foster carers in the North West and Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign co-ordinated by the Fostering Network charity.
During the fortnight fostering services all over the UK are holding imaginative, innovative and fun events to raise awareness of fostering.
With the theme of fostering brighter futures, this year’s campaign is not only focusing on the urgent need for more foster carers, but also celebrating what children, young people and foster carers have accomplished and continue to achieve every day across the UK.
Ms Jones said: “Foster Care Fortnight
is a fantastic opportunity to listen to and celebrate the achievements of those at the forefront of foster care. We desperately need more people to step forward and take on this vital challenge. I would urge people to think seriously about taking on this challenge. There are few greater rewards than fostering a brighter future for a child or young person who needs a family.”
Almost 50,000 children live with foster families on any given day in the UK and the Fostering Network estimates that a further 10,000 foster carers are needed. This shortage of carers means that children may find themselves being ?squeezed in? where there is a gap, rather than being able to live with a foster family that can meet their particular needs. All too often foster children are moved from home to home, have to live far from friends and family, and are separated from their brothers and sisters.
With the greater diversity of skills, homes and cultures more foster carers would bring, children in foster care could be offered the choice they deserve in order to fulfil their potential and enjoy a brighter future.
